Abstract: In a step motor driven cam valve a stem freely ascends and descends within a body having an in-flow passage, an out-flow passage, a valve chamber, and a valve seat. The stem is descended by an actuator, composed of a step motor and a cam mechanism located at a position above the stem, that changes a rotational motion of the step motor to a linear motion and transmits the linear motion to the stem. A diaphragm within a valve chamber or a valve body at a lower end part of the stem rests on the valve seat. A lift support mechanism that supports the actuator to freely ascend and descend is arranged at a bonnet that covers the valve chamber. A height fine-adjustment mechanism, arranged at the lift supporting mechanism, finely adjusts the height of the actuator relative to the stem so as to perform zero-point adjustment of the valve.

Abstract: A Pendulum Valve having Independently and Rapidly Controllable Theta- and Z-axis Motion. The valve actuator used in the present invention provides the benefit of wide open unrestricted flow of a pendulum valve coupled with the high-resolution and wide dynamic range flow throttling of a ball or butterfly valve. The actuator mechanism will include motor drives and associated control system so that the drives are closely coupled to give highly controlled motion. The drive assembly introduces a concentric shaft arrangement that, when coupled with the highly controllable motor drives, exploits a cam-follower arrangement to make the relative rotation between the two concentric shafts result in highly controlled theta and z-axis motion. Finally, the plate to seal spacing afforded is greater than previously possible with prior valve actuator mechanisms, thereby substantially reducing flow turbulence through the valve as the valve plate eclipses the valve ports.

Abstract: A drain valve including a housing, a poppet, a seal, a follower pin, and a biasing mechanism. The housing defines a passage there-through from a first end to a second end, a cam surface at the second end with at least two detents therein, and at least one slot in the housing fluidly coupling the passage to exterior of the housing. The poppet is disposed within the passage. The seal is disposed between the housing and the poppet. The follower pin is coupled to the poppet near the poppet second end. The follower pin is configured to move along the cam surface and settle in at least one of the at least two detents. The spring is configured to bias the poppet away from the second end.

Abstract: An electric valve actuator with a failsafe device for a rotary type valve that is coupled to a drive shaft screw by means of a clutch. A cam cylinder is secured to the drive shaft screw and is also connected to the stem of the valve. A cam follower is slidably mounted upon the drive shaft and traces a cam profile form in the cylinder as the cylinder turns. A series of torsion springs are connected to the cylinder so that the springs are wound into a loaded condition as the cam cylinder moves from a valve closed position to a cam opening position. In the event of a power failure while the valve is opened, the clutch disengages the motor from the drive shaft and the springs unwind quickly to move the cam cylinder toward the valve closing position. At this time the motion of the cylinder is controlled by the cam follower which regulates the valve closing sequence.

Abstract: A frozen beverage machine includes a process control block having a plurality of inlets for receiving ingredients and a plurality of outlets. A mixing block has a plurality of inlets connected to the process control block outlets such that ingredients flowing through the mixing block are mixed together therein. At least one freezing chamber is connected to the mixing block outlet to receive the mixed ingredients therefrom, and a refrigeration system is arranged to refrigerate the freezing chamber. A dispensing valve and a drain valve are connected to the freezing chamber. A controller is connected to the process control block to control operation of the frozen beverage machine. The beverage machine includes an automated sanitizing system operated by the controller, in which the beverage mixture is drained from the freezing chamber via the drain valve, and a cleaning solution is pumped into a cleaning solution inlet of the mixing block and into the freezing chamber to sanitize the machine.

Abstract: A fluid valve assembly includes a housing, a valve, a rotatable driver received in the housing in operative communication with the valve, and an over-center linkage disposed between the driver and the housing. The housing includes an entrance to permit fluid flow into the housing and an exit to allow fluid flow out of the housing. The valve is disposed between the housing entrance and exit. The valve is configured in an open state to permit fluid flow through the housing and in a closed state to block fluid flow through the housing. Rotation of the driver from a first rotational position toward a second rotational position moves the valve from the closed to the open state, and rotation of the driver from the second rotational position to a third rotational position permits the valve to return to a closed state. The over-center linkage biases the driver to either the first or third rotational position.

Abstract: A valve hamper assembly for a glassware machine having a camming surface and a movable follower surface engaging the camming surface. A movable valve is operatively connected to the follower surface. A movement device is operatively connected to the follower surface for moving the follower surface along the camming surface to cause movement of the valve.

Abstract: In a cryosurgical instrument having a dewar and a cap which is threaded onto the dewar when in use, with a main valve portion secured to the cap by threads, the handedness of the threads on the main valve portion are opposite to the handedness of the cap threads, whereby applying thrust through the main valve portion to remove the cap from the dewar will tend to tighten, rather than loosen the main valve portion in the cap.

Abstract: A gas control valve including a body having a throat formed in a bore, a post slidably received in the bore and including a plug, a pin laterally engaged on an upper portion of the post, and a spring for biasing the post so that the plug can be separated from the throat and so that gas may flow through the throat, and a guide fixed in top of the bore and having two inclined surfaces, the ends of the pin are slidable along the inclined surfaces, the plug can engage with the throat when the knob is pushed toward the body so that gas is prevented from flowing through the throat.

Abstract: A pinch valve for selectively pinching or releasing a multiple plurality of fluid conduits includes a rotatable single cam as part of a rotor within a stator for locating the fluid conduits. The cam periphery with different lobe surfaces for engaging movable means which is either a plunger or a endless belt which pinch or release multiple fluid conduits. The rotor integrally includes a gear, shaft and flag indicator and is operable by a stepper motor. A backing means about the stator resiliently resists movement.

Abstract: A variable valve actuating device and method are disclosed, the device including a rotatable cam having a selectively configured cam face engagable with a worm drive at an outer engaging surface of the cam, the worm drive being configured for both rotary and axial movement, rotary movement imparting rotational motion to the cam face, and axial movement changing relative valve timing. The device preferably includes a plurality of such rotatable cams engagable with different ones of a plurality of worm drives to thus provide selective variation of valve opening and valve closing times independently of one another, with open-valve duration being variable to occur at any point in an overall operating cycle of the system.

Abstract: A control device, which is interposed between a modulating motor and a valve, includes a control arm which is mounted on the shaft of the valve and a roller follower that is on the arm. In addition, the control device includes a bracket which is mounted on a fuel line adjacent to the valve, a cam which rotates on the bracket about an axis that is parallel to the shaft and an operating arm which rotates with the cam and is connected to the modulating motor, so that the modulating motor moves an air damper and cam in unison. The cam has an arcuate element which curves eccentrically about the axis of rotation and screws which are threaded into the arcuate element such that their ends form a cam profile. The roller follower bears against this profile, riding over the ends of the screws as the cam rotates.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping flexible tubing employs one or more plungers as clamps. The plungers are reciprocally moveable by means of a rotatable disk cam which has a cam path on one or both of the faces of the disk, the disk cam being mounted to rotate on a shaft of a stepping motor. The plungers may be used to clamp a single tube or a plurality of tubes.

Abstract: The valve has a residual pressure valve (14) which is known per se, in which however the gas container can be filled through the residual pressure valve. The residual pressure valve (14) is mounted on a stem (32) which is axially displaceable as a result of a cam configuration in such a manner that it assumes a stable operating position under the influence of its spring (24) and an unstable open position under manual action on a filling apparatus (52) counter to the influence of its spring (24).

Abstract: The regulator second stage for scuba incorporates a semi-balanced valve mechanism of high flow capacity which operates without significant influence from friction. The compression spring is suspended between two axially opposed pins to avoid friction producing contact with the housing walls. The valve mechanism is suspended between a dynamic seal and a lever assembly to avoid friction producing contact with the housing walls. The valve controlling lever rotates a ball bearing and collar mechanism in which ball bearings cooperate with notches to provide high mechanical advantage with very low friction. The diaphragm and exhaust valve cooperate to provide stable interaction which conserves breathing gas during all orientations of the regulator second stage.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolation chamber valve. The isolation chamber valve of the invention includes, for connecting its inlet passage and its outlet passage, a by-pass circuit of small section comprising at least a flap the opening and closing of which can be controlled as required. This isolation chamber valve is used in particular in the operation of shafts for deposits or the storage of gas or other fluids under pressure.

Abstract: A valve control mechanism for a paint spraying system provides for pressure relief prior to turn-off of the compressor. A pair of interlocking knobs, a pressure control knob and an off-prime-spray knob, are mechanically interlocked so that the compressor can only be turned on and off in a low pressure condition. When spraying has been completed, it is necessary to first operate the off-prime-spray knob to the prime position at which a cam structure opens the off-prime-spray valve for an immediate pressure relief prior to turn off of the pump.

Abstract: A flow control device comprising a spindle having a disk at its lower end and a handle at its upper end and spring-biased to bring the disk into pressing contact with a disk seat within a case, a closure having a top wall, and at least one rollable member resting on the upper surface of the closure top wall and mounted on the spindle at an upper end portion thereof projecting upward from the upper surface of the closure top wall. The closure is formed in the upper surface of its top wall with a lower recessed portion for the rollable member to partly fit in, an upper recessed portion for the rollable member to partly fit in and a slanting guide face between the two recessed portions. The rollable member is movable by the rotation of the handle to partly fit into the lower recessed portion to thereby hold the disk in pressing contact with the disk seat or to partly fit into the upper recessed portion to thereby hold the disk away from the disk seat.

Abstract: An automatic valve is disclosed for controlling the direction of fluid flow. The valve is particularly suited for use with automatic pool cleaning systems to alternately direct fluid flow to the filtration system of an automatic pool cleaner. The valve includes a primary conduit and a branch segment to define an alternate path for fluid flow. A reciprocating piston is mounted within the branch segment. Indexing is provided by a first cammed surface, formed at one end of the piston which includes a plurality of slots. The slots are selectively engaged with a stop pin. The condition of the valve is determined by the length of the particular slot engaged with the stop pin. A spring is provided for biasing the piston out of engagement with the stop pin when the fluid flow is interrupted. In one embodiment of the subject valve, the volume and pressure of the fluid flow are automatically controlled.

Abstract: A precision valve assembly for controlling flow of fluids to a patient having a valve element mounted on a diaphragm. At least one ball positioned in a spiral track, when moved toward the center by relative rotation of the spiral track and an opposed longitudinal track, brings a valve and valve seat together to restrict fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: A cryosurgical instrument employing a standard, double-walled, metal vacuum bottle or dewer has a collar metallurgically bonded to the top of the dewer near the mouth thereof to provide machined threads for releasably engaging the delivery and control portion of the instrument to the reservoir portion of the instrument. The collar provides additional strength and support to the portion where the two walls of the dewer are joined to each other. A vent is provided in a bottom cap of the vacuum dewer. A valve directly in the cryogen delivery line is connected by a stem to a fulcrumed operating handle; a 360.degree. fulcrum is used, to permit rotating the handle for thumb or finger operation with either the right or the left hand, as desired; rotation of the handle also rotates the valve stem so as to assist in freeing it from crystalline adhesion which may result from moisture in the cryogen or in the ambient air. In one embodiment, the 360.degree.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprises a conveyor drivable at variable speeds by a hydraulic motor which is controlled by a cam regulated flow control valve. Sensing means responsive to some condition on the conveyor requiring a change in speed (i.e., excessive accumulation of conveyed articles requiring conveyor slow-down) are connected to the cam on the flow control valve to effect a corresponding change in conveyor speed. The valve amplifies the relatively small fluid control signal therewithin to effect control of relatively high pressure fluid.

Abstract: A bathtub stopper for closing the drain passage of a strainer cup of a bathtub according to the present invention consists of a main body portion which has first and second components adapted to telescope longitudinally with respect to one another between an extended position and a shortened position. The components are also rotatable with respect to one another about the longitudinal axis of the main body. The first component is manually engageable to be rotatably driven about the longitudinal axis and the second component is adapted to be secured to a strainer to locate the main body in an operative position with respect to the strainer. A closure means is carried by the first component for closing the drain passage when the main body is in the shortened position, the closure means being spaced from the strainer to open the drain passage when in the extended position.

Abstract: A fluid valve assembly includes a housing, a valve, a rotatable driver received in the housing in operative communication with the valve, and an over-center linkage disposed between the driver and the housing. The housing includes an entrance to permit fluid flow into the housing and an exit to allow fluid flow out of the housing. The valve is disposed between the housing entrance and exit. The valve is configured in an open state to permit fluid flow through the housing and in a closed state to block fluid flow through the housing. Rotation of the driver from a first rotational position toward a second rotational position moves the valve from the closed to the open state, and rotation of the driver from the second rotational position to a third rotational position permits the valve to return to a closed state. The over-center linkage biases the driver to either the first or third rotational position.